The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Aspen is in Fort Bragg today to maintain buoys at the Noyo Harbor mouth

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Aspen is in Fort Bragg today to do some routine maintenance on the buoys at the mouth of Noyo Harbor. The Aspen, a 225-foot cutter based in San Francisco, is taking advantage of the nice weather and calm seas to haul out and inspect the buoys. Typically, the crews chip off the barnacles and other sea growth that accumulates and touch up the paint. They may also repair or replace the anchor and chain that keeps the buoy in place, or swap the entire buoy for a replacement if needed. The job usually takes about a day and is normally done about twice a year, according to Kevin Cornell, a Boatswain's Mate I at the USCG Station Noyo River. Cornell said the Noyo buoys take more maintenance than the Buoys in Mendocino Bay because the Noyo Harbor mouth is more exposed to open seas and storm waves, so the Aspen may not need to stop in Mendocino. For those who may be wondering "Boatswain" is pronounced "Bosun," said Cornell.